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The Cattle-Wolf Dilemma: Interactions among Three Protected Species
1Department of Economics and Management, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, 12210, Israel. nbecker@telhai.ac.il.
Environmental Management
|November 1, 2016
Summary
Economic valuation reveals that protecting cattle from wolves harms endangered vultures and gazelles. Compensating ranchers is more beneficial for society than costly protective measures like fences.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Ecological Economics
- Wildlife Management
Background:
- Livestock rancher-predator conflicts often focus solely on direct economic losses to cattle and wolves (Canis lupus).
- Protective measures for livestock can negatively impact other species, including endangered ones.
- Efforts to protect cattle in Israel's Upper Galilee have led to poisoning of vultures (Gyps fulvus) and habitat fragmentation for gazelles (Gazella gazella).
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply economic valuation to livestock-predator conflicts, considering impacts on all affected species.
- To quantify the ecological and economic losses incurred by endangered species due to conflict mitigation strategies.
- To compare the societal benefits of protective measures versus compensation for ranchers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the contingent valuation method to estimate the use and non-use values of wolves, vultures, and gazelles.
- Conducted surveys of a representative population sample to gather valuation data.
- Performed a cost-benefit analysis comparing anti-wolf fences and other protective measures against direct compensation for ranchers.
Main Results:
- Investing in protective measures like fences is optimal for ranchers but not for society.
- Damage to protected species (vultures, gazelles) represents a significant unobserved economic loss.
- A combination of limited protection and farmer compensation yields higher net societal benefits.
Conclusions:
- Rancher-predator conflict mitigation requires a broader economic and ecological perspective.
- Societal well-being is maximized by compensating ranchers for depredations rather than solely investing in extensive protective measures.
- Conservation efforts must account for indirect impacts on endangered species to achieve optimal outcomes.
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